La Disputa (detail)

1510-11
Fresco
Stanza della Segnatura, Palazzi Pontifici, Vatican

A segment of golden nimbus looms down from above, with God the Father and angels of the clouds occupying its lower edge. This wreath of clouds is repeated somewhat lower, with a larger radius, in the clouds thrones of the heavenly attendants. Between and in front of these two circles a gold disk moves forward, with Christ in the space it encloses. Below that, and even further forward, floats a smaller golden circle with the Dove of the Holy Spirit.